Report: Kimbrel may consider sitting out season if price not met

Craig Kimbrel is still a free agent and is apparently in no rush to find a new home if there are no offers to his liking.

The closer may consider sitting out the entire 2019 season if he's not paid what he believes he's worth, sources told Jim Bowden of The Athletic.

Early in the offseason, it was reported that Kimbrel was seeking a six-year deal worth more than $100 million, which would be a record contract for a relief pitcher. Multiple general managers told Bowden that his asking price has not come down from there.

The Philadelphia Phillies have been linked to Kimbrel throughout the offseason and may consider acquiring him once Bryce Harper makes his decision.

A return to the Boston Red Sox, with whom he spent the last three seasons, was said this week to be "extremely unlikely" by team chairman Tom Werner.

Kimbrel rejected Boston's qualifying offer at the start of free agency, meaning he's tied to draft-pick compensation when he signs his next contract.

The 30-year-old is a seven-time All-Star and two-time winner of the Reliever of the Year award. He leads all active pitchers with 333 saves, which rank 14th all time.

Last year, Kimbrel appeared in 63 games for the World Series champion Red Sox and posted a 2.74 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 96 strikeouts (13.9 per nine innings) along with 42 saves. He tallied another six saves in 10 2/3 postseason innings.